Jharkhand announces farm scheme for small-medium farmers

Ranchi, Dec 21: Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Friday announced 'Mukhyamantri Krishi Ashirwad Yojna' (MKAY) by which the state government would offer Rs 5,000 per acre of land to farmers for the kharif crops.

"The farmers who have less than one acre of land will also get a minimum of Rs 5,000 for the kharif crop, which would be paid to them through cheques," Das said.

"The Krishi Ashirwad Yojana will benefit 22.76 lakh small and medium farmers of the state. The scheme would be included in the 2019-20 budget and Rs 2,250 crore would be spent on it," said the Chief Minister while addressing a press conference.

"Under the scheme, 45 lakh acres would be covered for cultivation of paddy. The state government is paying Rs 66-crore premium on crop insurance for 14.85 lakh farmers. The farmers are also being provided loans on zero per cent interest rates," he said.